In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank?
The World Bank used the average income, i.e. per capita income as the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries. Countries with per capita income of $10066 and above in 2004 as published by the World Bank according to the World Development Report 2006, are called developed countries. On the other hand, low-income countries are countries with per capita income of $825 or less. Countries based on HDI are compared by the UNDP on
the basis of educational levels of the people, their health status and based on average income. It is better to use Human Development Index as a wider indicator in which per capital income, health and education are also included.
The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49 years) whose BMI
is below normal (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) in India. It is based on a survey of various
states for the year 2015-16. Look at the table and answer the following questions.
(i) Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.
Explain how public sector contributes to the economic development of a nation.
Workers are exploited in the unorganised sector. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
“Tertiary sector is not playing any significant role in the development of Indian
economy.” Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer.
For each of the sectors that we came across in this chapter why should one focus on employment and GDP? Could there be other issues which should be examined? Discuss.
Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?
For each of the items given in Table 1.6, find out which country is at the top and
which is at the bottom.
Critically examine the progress of the consumer movement in India?
Distinguish between open unemployment and disguised unemployment.
Analyse the role of credit for development.
“Tertiary sector is not playing any significant role in the development of Indian
economy.” Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Explain how public sector contributes to the economic development of a nation.
Globalisation will continue in the future. Can you imagine what the world would be like twenty years from now? Give reasons for your answer.
Fill in the blanks:
The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49 years) whose BMI
is below normal (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) in India. It is based on a survey of various
states for the year 2015-16. Look at the table and answer the following questions.
(i) Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.
In India, about 80 percent of farmers are small farmers, who need cultivation.
(a) Why might banks be unwilling to lend to small farmers? (b) What are the other sources from which the small farmers can borrow? (c) Explain with an example of how the terms of credit can be unfavorable for the small farmer.
(d) Suggest some ways by which small farmers can get cheap credit.
Why do developed countries want developing countries to liberalise their trade and investment? What do you think should the developing countries demand in return?
Fill in the blanks.
Indian buyers have a greater choice of goods than they did two decades back. This is closely associated with the process of ______________. Markets in India are selling goods produced in many other countries. This means there is increasing ______________ with other countries. Moreover, the rising number of brands that we see in the markets might be produced by MNCs in India. MNCs are investing in India because _____________. While consumers have more choices in the market, the effect of rising _______________ and ______________has meant greater ________________among the producers.
How are the activities in the economy classified on the basis of employment conditions?
A research scholar looked at the working people in the city of Surat and found the following.
Place of work |
Nature of employment |
Percentage of working people |
In offices and factories registered with the government |
Organised |
15 |
Own shops, office, clinics in marketplace with formal license |
--- |
15 |
People working on the street, construction workers, domestic workers |
--- |
20 |
Working in small workshops usually not registered with the government |
--- |
--- |
Complete the table. What is the percentage of workers in the unorganised sector in this city?